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(Rick Miller/Olean Star) The front of an East Otto fire truck is draped in a black bunting Wednesday in memory of Tim Lexer, a beloved local firefighter and former chief and a 911 dispatcher who died last week in an accident near his home. Police and fire vehicles escorted the hearse bearing Lexer's body from a funeral in Little Valley.

East Otto community honors Tim Lexer, dispatcher and firefighter

August 8, 2024

By RICK MILLER Olean Star EAST OTTO — The East Otto community turned out Wednesday for fallen firefighter and dispatcher Tim Lexer as his body was escorted from a Little

Cattaraugus County Undersheriff Eric Butler

Acting Sheriff Butler nominated by GOP for Cattaraugus County Sheriff

August 7, 2024

By RICK MILLER Olean Star ELLICOTTVILLE — Acting Cattaraugus County Sheriff Eric Butler was nominated by Monday by the Cattaraugus County Republican Committee to run for sheriff in November. Republican Chairman

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Republican U.S. Senate candidate Mike Sapraicone (second from right), met with Cattaraugus County GOP officials in Olean Friday. Others from left are Legislator Rick Smith of Olean; County Republican Chairman Mark Heberling and Legislator Steve Teachman of Olean.

Sapraicone visits Cattaraugus County in his bid to unseat Sen Gillibrand

August 7, 2024

By RICK MILLER Olean Star OLEAN — Mike Sapraicone sat in a booth at Green Acres last Friday with three Republican officials before heading off to his 11th county fair in

(Rick Miller/Olean Star) Logan Goddard, 14, a 4-H member from Irving, speaks at the Cattaraugus County Fair Wednesday with county legislators and members of the Cornell Cooperative Extension board during a tour of the fairgrounds. His hog Fabio Sparklmane, lies at his feet.

County legislators tour fairgrounds, meet 4-H owners of animals to be auctioned

August 6, 2024

By RICK MILLER Olean Star LITTLE VALLEY — Several Cattaraugus County lawmakers toured the county fairgrounds in Little Valley Wednesday with 4-H members and officials. The legislators and members of

Sempolinski complains as Albany Democrats miss budget deadline again

March 31, 2026

ALBANY – Assemblyman Joe Sempolinski, R-Canisteo, said the Democrat-controlled budget process has once again failed New Yorkers as the legislature passed a one-week budget extender Tuesday to keep the government

Ischua Creek trout stocking limited to allow Great Lakes Cheese-impacted area time to recover

March 31, 2026

By RICK MILLER Olean Star It’s been seven months since pollutants from Great Lakes Cheese Company’s Franklinville plant contaminated Ischua Creek, killing tens of thousands of fish and other aquatic

St. Bonaventure men’s basketball makes it official with MacDonald

March 31, 2026

By SPENCER BATES batesoleanstar@gmail.com ST. BONAVENTURE — St. Bonaventure Vice President and Director of Athletics Bob Beretta officially announced that Mike MacDonald will join the men’s basketball program as the 20th

MONDAY ROUNDUP: Salamanca walks off Gowanda in high-scoring affair; Bradford baseball suffers defeat despite hot start vs. Punxy

March 30, 2026

SALAMANCA, NY — In a tug-of-war affair, the Salamanca softball team ultimately emerged 11-10 victors over Gowanda. The Panthers pounced in the top of the very first frame, bringing four